Prophecy: A Historical Perspective on Intercessory Prayer for Native America

PROPHECY

Historical References and Anniversaries

Jesuits Foretell of a Lunar Eclipse – January 31, 1646
(http://americanindian.net/January.html )

Father Pierre Millet Foretells of a Lunar Eclipse – January 21, 1674
(http://americanindian.net/January.html )

According to Phil Konstantin’s book, This Day In North American Indian History, both instances tell of American Indians being converted to Christianity because a non-American Indian spiritual leader foretold of a lunar eclipse, with the help of an almanac. In the case of Father Millet, Konstantin writes that the priest actually challenged the shamans to do the same.

American Indian Prophet Tecumseh – January 23, 1812
(http://americanindian.net/January.html )

According to Phil Konstantin’s book, This Day In North American Indian History, there was an earth quake on January 23, 1812 that some believed to be sign associated with a prophecy by Tecumseh. Konstantin wrote that the prophet visited the Creek, telling them that when he stomped the ground, the houses in Tuckabatchee would collapse. Some thought this was the sign, others did not. Tecumseh is mentioned several other times in history in regards to his words and acts as a prophet.

American Indian Prophet Wovoka – January 1, 1889
(http://americanindian.net/January.html )

According to Phil Konstantin’s book, This Day In North American Indian History, a known American Indian prophet, Wovoka, had a vision regarding the Ghost Dance. There is a lot of information on the internet about Ghost Dance and Wovoka. In some of the materials I have read, it is suggested that Wovoka’s teachings and interpretations about Ghost Dance had hints of Christianity relating to the Second Coming.

Just as with the historical events regarding ‘peace’, these notations of events relating to predictions and prophecy in the 1600s and 1800s lack stories and testimonies illustrating the hearts of the spiritual leaders, their own interpretations, how they tested what they heard, how others interpreted what they heard, etc. Also, there isn’t anyone alive today who has first hand experience or knowledge of any of these events or spiritual leaders.

Scripture References

We can look to the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures for direction in how to pray regarding these significant event anniversaries. Please keep in mind that the Scripture can provide Biblical history, early church culture and spiritual principles for today. However, it gives us little help in rightly discerning the past. Therefore, our focus is on prophecy regarding American Indian people and concerns for the future.

“Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;” Romans 12:6 (Amplified)

“And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Amplified)

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-40. Also Eph 4:11, 1 Cor 12:10, 28.

“Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 (Amplified)

“Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God; every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source]; And every spirit which does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3 (Amplified)

Prayer for Prophecy

Abba Father, Yahweh, thank you for gifting and sending your prophets, that out of your love, mercy, and grace, they strengthen us through knowledge, encouragement, comfort, revelation, and instructions. Thank you for those who have and do prophesy to and about our North American indigenous peoples. Thank you for those who have and do prophesy, who are American Indian. Thank you for the many blessings we enjoy today because the American Indian prophets of old were respected and heard. Thank you for the favor we receive because of the prophets who spoke to and about the American Indians were respected and heard. Father, protect these blessings, gifts, promises and answers to prayers that have been received because of obedience. Father, we ask for your mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion as we press on in this journey, burdened by the consequences of our ancestors listening to false prophets and rejecting true prophets. We pray that non-American Indians who prophesy about and to American Indians, will test what they hear, seeking for your interpretations, rejecting man’s interpretations, judgments and fears that often come when speaking and interpreting from outside their own culture. We pray that your American Indian prophets will test what they hear, seeking your interpretations, rejecting man’s interpretations, judgments and fears that often come from speaking and interpreting through the pains and injustices of abuse. We pray that all your people will test what they hear from your prophets, regarding North America’s indigenous peoples and that they will respect your American Indian prophets. We pray that your spiritual leaders of this day will be obedient to you, seeking guidance in how they reach out to American Indian people and communities. We pray that all of your spiritual leaders will serve in humility, love, compassion, grace and relationship, resisting the temptation to present ‘book’ knowledge of the sciences as secret truths and mysteries received through divine impartation. Father, continue to guide us in prayer regarding prophecy according to your perfect will, by the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Rev. Jeny Running Brook Covill
First Nations Monday

(Note: This is Part 2 of a study that was originally prepared in January 2012 in partnership with NIAP Prayer Shield)

Books Used in this 12 Month Study

The Holy Bible in the following translations: KJV, NIV, Amplified, NASB, CEV and The Scriptures.

“Church History in Plain Language” by Bruce L. Shelley

“Encyclopedia of Native American Wars & Warfare”. General Editors William B. Kessel, Ph.D. and Robert Wooster, Ph.D.

“This Day In North American Indian History” by Phil Konstantin

As with the First Nations Monday prayer and Scripture studies, I like to study with 5 translations. As you go through these studies, I encourage you to do the same. “The Scriptures” is a translation that includes the original Hebrew names and has the books in chronological order. The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a translation that is written for ‘oral tradition’ peoples and it flows well while reading it aloud. The Amplified version is one where meanings of words and phrases are ‘amplified’ for better understanding. The King James Version (KJV) is the translation that works well with Strong’s Concordance. The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) is a great companion version that I find gives great insight.

In addition, consider the following:

First Nations Version Project
A retelling of the Sacred Scriptures for Native Americans and all English speaking Indigenous peoples.
http://www.firstnationsversion.com/

Cherokee Bible Project – ONLINE – New Testament
https://sites.google.com/site/cherokeebibleproject/new-testament

Cherokee Bible Project – ONLINE – Old Testament
https://sites.google.com/site/cherokeebibleproject/old-testament-verses

Cherokee Bible Project Titles in Book form:
(A joint mission of the Cherokee Bible Project and Four Rivers Native American Church)
http://tuscanyglobal.com/bible/
Genesis in Cherokee
Haggai in Cherokee
Jonah in Cherokee
100 Days Of Indigenous Wisdom
Cherokee New Testament
New Cherokee Hymnal
Matthew’s Gospel in Cherokee
Mark’s Gospel in Cherokee
Luke’s Gospel in Cherokee
John’s Gospel in Cherokee
The Acts of the Apostles in Cherokee
ROMANS in Cherokee
CORINTHIANS in Cherokee
GALATIANS to COLOSSIANS in Cherokee
THESSALONIANS to HEBREWS in Cherokee
JAMES to JUDE in Cherokee
John’s Revelation in Cherokee
Pastoral Epistles in Cherokee (coming)
General Epistles in Cherokee (coming)

Tags: Aboriginal, American Indian, Community, Contextual, Contextual Ministry, Cross-Cultural, First Nations, History, Indigenous, Inspiration, Intercession, January, Ministry, Native American, Prayer, Prophecy, Scripture, Spiritual